Bonhams 1793 Headlines

BONHAMS TO SELL LAUNCHING BROOCH OF HMS COVENTRY, SUNK ON ACTIVE SERVICE IN THE FALKLANDS CONFLICT

Bonhams will sell a gold and diamond broach presented to the wife of the Captain of HMS Coventry, when launching the ship at Birkenhead in June 1974.

The brooch which will be sold on September 25th at Knightsbridge, is one of the last surviving links to the ill-fated Coventry which was subsequently sunk in the Falklands conflict after coming under heavy enemy aircraft attack.

John Millenstead, Head of Bonhams Coins and Medals Department comments: This brooch is one of the...

Bonhams to sell Best of British collection that charts journey of Camberwell School

The Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts has produced some of the leading stars of British contemporary art, with artists such as Sir Terrence Frost and Euan Uglow having studied there. On 26 September 2007 Bonhams in Knightsbridge will sell a collection of paintings, works of art and sculpture by numerous artists associated with the celebrated Camberwell School.

The sale, entitled Camberwell and Beyond, is a single owner collection and includes work by artists who were either...

Stan Betz Collection of Von Dutch Memorabilia to be Offered by Bonhams & Butterfields in November

Auction action at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles Saturday 10th November 2007

Bonhams & Butterfields is proud to have been a sponsor of this years Legend of the Motorcycle Concours dElegance in Half Moon Bay, CA, and the leading international auction house considered it no more fitting a time to announce the sale of the Stan Betz Collection of Von Dutch Memorabilia to be held in Los Angeles at the Petersen Automotive Museum on November 10, 2007. Collectors,...

70-Million Year Old Predator on the Loose in LA - Much-feared Sea Life from the Age of Dinosaurs Highlights Bonhams & Butterfields Winter Natural History Sale

Largest ever seen at auction, a rare 30-foot Mosasaurus skeleton to be offered on December 2nd

All that remains of a 70-million year old Mosasaurus Baugei or Meuse lizard, a huge carnivorous reptile and the dominant underwater predator menacing the Earths seas 70-million years ago, could sell for as much as $400,000 on December 2, 2007 in Los Angeles as Bonhams & Butterfields, the premier West Coast auction house, brings an eclectic and spectacular array of Natural History to...

Bonhams strengthens its Ceramics team by appointing ex-Sothebys Specialists in London

Bonhams has appointed three new specialists from Sothebys to complement its existing London-based European Ceramics and Glass team. Simon Cottle, one of the worlds most respected experts in Glass, joins Bonhams this summer with Continental Ceramics specialist Nette Megens, while world-renowned Continental Ceramics expert Sebastian Kuhn will join the auction house in January 2008.

With immediate effect, Simon Cottle takes on the role of Departmental Director of Continental...

Bonhams New York Welcomes Newly Appointed Director of Trusts & Estates

The directors of international fine arts auctioneers Bonhams are pleased to announce the appointment of Beth Feely to the position of Director of the firms Trusts & Estates Department in New York. In her new position Ms. Feely will act as an advisor and liaison between Trust & Estates officers including banks and law firms and Bonhams specialists, Business Development teams and members of the firms international clientele.

Ms. Feelys knowledge of the art world, as well as...

Robert Burns Hip Flask to Feature in Bonhams Scottish Sale This Month

Bonhams eighth annual Scottish Sale, to be held this year in Edinburgh on 22 24 August 2007 will feature a late 18th century hip flask which once belonged to the celebrated Scottish poet Robert Burns (1759-1796).

Many of Burns's best-known poems and characters, such as 'The Jolly Beggars' or 'Tam O'Shanter', were inspired by fellow drinkers he had met while carousing in taverns. In his native Ayrshire, the pub he visited Poosie Nansie's Inn, Mauchline, featured in The Jolly...

WORLD AUCTION RECORD SMASHED AS THE BLUEPRINT FOR THE FOUNDATION OF AUSTRALIA IS SOLD FOR $288,000 BY BONHAMS & GOODMAN IN SYDNEY

A Sydney book dealer has paid AUD$288,000 at an auction conducted by Bonhams & Goodman after a frenzy of bidding from Australian museums, dealers and private collectors. The result is a new world auction record for an Australian manuscript and amplifies the current interest in Australian historical items.

The 18th century official manuscript, a single sheet of paper with handwriting on both sides, details the fundamental logistics of the First Fleet. Countless publications refer...

TOP PRICES AT BONHAMS FOR RIFLES WHICH CLAIMED THE TUSKS OF THOUSANDS OF AFRICAN BULL ELEPHANTS

A rifle once owned by James Sutherland, a legend among African professional hunters, estimated to make £12,000 to £16,000, sold for £66,000 at Bonhams sale of on August 1st of Modern Sporting Guns, Rifles and Vintage Firearms. A massively powerful weapon, the .577 double-barrelled detachable lock ejector rifle made by Westley Richards was used by Sutherland to shoot more than 1,200 bull elephants on his African hunting safaris. The rifle, lot 279, was the highest price achieved at this...

EAST ANGLIAN ARTISTS VIEW OF VENICE AT BONHAMS SALE IN NORWICH

An atmospheric view of Venice is a surprising component of Bonhams East Anglian View sale this month. It was painted by one of Norfolks best-known 20th century landscape artists Edward Brian Seago (1910-1974).

Chiesa della Salute- Venice is estimated to sell for £15,000-20,000 and is just one of a collection of pictures by Seago (with some more familiar views of Suffolk and Norfolk) included in this years sale on 25 October, at Norwichs Assembly Rooms.

Seago...

BONHAMS TO SELL WORLD'S OLDEST SURVIVING ROLLS-ROYCE

Bids expected in excess of £1-million
Rolls-Royce is synonymous with luxury motorised travel. It is a brand name recognised the world over with a 103-year-old history and star-studded client list to match. Bonhams is, therefore, particularly delighted to announce the London sale on 3 December 2007 of the worlds oldest known surviving Rolls-Royce, built in 1904 - the year Rolls-Royce was founded.

Rolls-Royce Car no. 20154, a diminutive 10hp two seater, is a true...

MARATHON BIKE-RIDING ARMY CAPTAIN TO SELL HISTORIC CYCLE RACE PAINTING FROM 1870

The recent start of the Tour De France in London shines a spotlight on the sale of a fascinating painting from the early days of cycling in 1870 which will be sold at Bonhams on September 18.

Titled `A bicycle race between Velocepedes lot 168 is estimated to sell for £5,000 to £7,000. The painting is attributed to Samuel Henry Alken (British, 1810-1894) and is done in oil on paper laid on panel. It is 10x23cm in size.

Jeremy Waite, Head of British and Continental...

BONHAMS TO SELL £20,000 LANDSEER PAINTING FOUND IN A FLEA MARKET

A painting by celebrated 'Monarch of the Glen' artist Sir Edwin Landseer (1802-1873), which was bought after the second world war in a Roman flea market for very little money - is now set to fetch £18,000-25,000 at Bonhams' Scottish Sale in Edinburgh on 24 August 2007.

Dr Chris Brickley, a senior valuer at Bonhams' Edinburgh salerooms, says: "The vendor's father obviously had a good eye for art and knew a bargain when he saw it in the flea market."

The panel...

The Fine Fortnum & Mason Sale at Bonhams

Goodwood Revival Sale Highlights

Important Sports, Competition and Collectors Cars, Automobilia and Models
The Goodwood Revival, Chichester, Sussex
31 August 2007

1927 Bentley 6 1/2-Litre All Weather Tourer

The only 6 ½-Litre Bentley to be bodied by Corsica, this car has been in the same family for the last 60 years. Originally a Hooper drophead coupe, it was sold new to Captain JFC Kruse, who had the car rebodied by Corsica ten years later as an elegant all weather tourer. It was sold...

LAST EVER SERIES-C VINCENT BLACK SHADOW HEADS LINE-UP FOR BONHAMS NEXT STAFFORD SALE

Machines already consigned to Bonhams next bi-annual UK Sale of Collectable Motorcycles - to be held at The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show in Stafford on 21 October - include the last ever Series-C Vincent Black Shadow and Freddie Dixons 1928 Isle of Man Junior TT works Douglas. One of the very first Honda CB750 fours sold in the UK will also go under the hammer, as well as the ex-Mead & Tomkinson, 1976 Laverda Nessie Endurance Racing Prototype.

Vincent

...

Lawnmarket Club Snuff Mull To Sell at Bonhams in Edinburgh

An extraordinary table snuff mull in the form of a scrolling horn that was formerly at Edinburghs famous Lawnmarket Club is one of the highlights at Bonhams annual Scottish Sale, which will take place between 22 24 August 2007.

The use of snuff had, by the mid-19th century, become fashionable and widespread, and such was the demand for it that large containers or snuff mulls, such as that to be sold at Bonhams, were invented to stand on the table or sideboard to serve...

James Blunt's "You're Beautiful" Piano sells for £1,200 at Bonhams

Piano Bought By Father For 6-year Lld Daughter To Learn On

A piano that used to belong to pop sensation James Blunt fetched £1,200 at Bonhams in London today (16 July 2007). The piano was used by Blunt to compose his number one hit "You're Beautiful" and, from the same "Back to Bedlam" album, "Goodbye my Lover." The old Chappell upright was bought in the room by an anonymous private bidder for his six-year-old daughter, who is a fan of James Blunt and is learning to play the...

Lafite-Rothschild Doubles Price in Year at Bonhams' Sale of Vintage Wine

The results of Bonhams' sale of Fine Wines, featuring Anniversary Bottles & Pomerol, held on 27th June 2007, at New Bond Street, London, highlight the fact that there is a very strong demand for the top wines from the best vintages. With a shortage of stock coming onto the market, prices of these wines were at or above high estimate.

1982 Bordeaux continues to be the most sought-after vintage in the saleroom and the top five prices were paid for First growths from a Belgian...

CARNOUSTIE OPEN GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP MEDAL MAKES almost £40,000 AT BONHAMS

A rare gold medal, won by the great British golfer Sir Henry Cotton at the 1937 Open Golf Championship in Carnoustie sold for £39,600 today (13 July 2007) at Bonhams in Edinburgh. Medals of this kind are rarely seen at auction, and it is particularly timely that this one should be sold as the Open returns to Carnoustie for the first time since 1999.

Before the sale, the medal had been expected to fetch £25,000-30,000. However, one determined collector ensured its price exceeded...

LOST BORDERS VALLEY SCENE BY TOM SCOTT TO SELL AT BONHAMS IN EDINBURGH

A stunning scene of a Scottish Borders valley that no longer exists will be sold at Bonhams annual Scottish Sale in Edinburgh between 22 24 August 2007. Tom Scotts A Yarrow Pastoral, painted in 1900, is expected to fetch £6,000 8,000.

The picturesque sweep of the River Yarrow valley captured by Scott will doubtless appeal hugely not only to Scotts many devotees, but also local historians and geographers who wish to see the original topography of the area before the...

Bonhams & Butterfields Celebrates its June Sunset Estate Auction its Largest

Junes two-day sale included works of Modern, Contemporary and 20th Century art, Natural History, decorative arts, designer furniture and vintage and estate jewelry

International fine arts auctioneers Bonhams & Butterfields offered its largest Sunset Estate Auction in Los Angeles in June, totaling more than $800,000. Over two-days -- June 24-25, 2007 the eclectic sale featured an exciting array of luxury and décor items, including jewelry, timepieces, designer furnishings,...

Bonhams June Fine Jewelry Sale Shows Diamonds are in Demand

Jewelry collectors, admirers and members of the trade vied for 121 lots of fine jewelry offered and sold by Bonhams in New York City on June 19, 2007. The auction brought nearly $1.5-million and included strong results for fresh-to-market material. The sale was simulcast to the West Coast where clients placed bids from both Los Angeles and San Francisco, where Bonhams & Butterfields salesrooms hosted the participants.

Large diamonds were of particular demand, and were the...

Design of the Century 20th Century Furniture & Decorative Arts at Bonhams & Butterfields in September

Fall sale to feature strong examples of Arts & Crafts, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Mid-Century Modern and works by Contemporary Studio artists

Bonhams & Butterfields fall 2007 auction of 20th Century Decorative Arts, to be held in Los Angeles on September 24, 2007, features a diverse group of works spanning a century of design. The works on offer will highlight the full range of 20th century artistic output, from the important early years through the modern period.

...

Image of Salisbury Cathedral Drawn By Autistic Savant - A Living Camera - For Sale at Bonhams

Autistic savant, Stephen Wiltshire, the subject of a BBC documentary on his artistic skills, produced an extraordinary pen and ink drawing of Salisbury Cathedral which will be sold by Bonhams on 25th September at Knightsbridge This is probably the first time such an item has ever been auctioned.

Once owned by the late Ted Heath, Prime Minister from 1970 to 74, who lived latterly in the cathedral close, the picture is being sold to aid the making of a religious CD - the oratorio of...

WORLD CLASS COLLECTION OF RARE DUTCH GUNS FORMED BY ARMS EXPERT VALUED AT £1.5M FOR SALE AT BONHAMS

BONHAMS GUN SALE PUTS SPOTLIGHT ON HOLLANDS ROLE AS EUROPES ARMOURY DURING THE 16TH AND 17TH CENTURIES GUNS WHICH PLAYED A PART IN AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE

The glory of Dutch guns produced in the 16th and 17th centuries will be in the spotlight at Bonhams when the Henk Visser Collection goes on sale on November 28 in London.

Scholars have long appreciated the technical expertise and artistic qualities of Dutch arms from this period which have had a global impact on gun...

RICHARD CRUMP JOINS BONHAMS MOTORING TEAM

Bonhams is delighted to announce the appointment of Richard Crump as a specialist consultant for Private Treaty Sales to the Motoring Department. Richard, renowned as a world authority on Maserati, has, for many years, advised and acted for a plethora of clients, as a broker for some of the most important and sought-after historic cars.

Richards passion for motor cars has driven a career in the business that has spanned many years. Encouraged by his father who leased period...

Snap Up the Crocodile Collection Part II at Bonhams, Knightsbridge

In Demand: Vintage Croc Leather Luggage and Accessories To Sell At Bonhams

The second part of an extensive private collection of vintage crocodile leather luggage and accessories amassed over three generations will go under the hammer at Bonhams in Knightsbridge this autumn. Following the success of Part I of the sale, which took place in March and saw many pieces fetch far beyond the estimates, Part II of the collection features multiple items ranging in estimate between £100 -...